[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of West Milford 9-18-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-54. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 110.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 152.
Nuisances — See Ch. 230.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 285.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING
Any building or structure, or part thereof, whether used for human habitation or otherwise, and includes any appurtenances belonging to or usually enjoyed therewith.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
The Health Officer of the Township of West Milford.
HEALTH OFFICER
The legally designated health officer of the Department of Health or an authorized representative of the Health Officer.
OWNER
The holder or holders of the title in fee simple.
PARTIES IN INTEREST
All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests of record in a building and any who are in actual possession thereof.
PUBLIC OFFICER
The Construction Official, all building code officials and fire officials.
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING
Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping quarters by human occupants.
A. 
Building unfit for human habitation. A building shall be deemed unfit for human habitation if conditions exist in such building which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of such building, the occupants of neighboring buildings or other residents; such conditions may include the following (without limiting the generality of the foregoing): defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accident, or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness.
B. 
Additional standards of habitability for residential dwellings. The "New Jersey State Housing Code" (1980 Revision) approved by the Department of Health and Conservation and Economic Development and filed in the Secretary of State's Office, as may be amended from time to time, shall serve as a guide to the Board in determining whether residential dwellings in this Township are safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation.
A. 
Creation of Board.
[Amended 5-5-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-14; 12-18-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-43]
(1) 
There is hereby created a Building Standards Board consisting of:
(a) 
One member of the Township Council to be appointed by it.
(b) 
The Construction Official or an employee of the Planning and Building Department selected by the Construction Official to act as his designee.
(c) 
The Planning Director or his designee.
(d) 
The Township Fire Official or his designee.
(e) 
The Township Tax Collector or her designee.
(f) 
Up to two private citizens to be appointed by the Township Administrator.
[Amended 9-1-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-6]
(g) 
The Health Officer who shall be the chairperson.
(h) 
Up to two private citizens appointed by the Township Administrator to act as alternates in the event the two citizen members are unable to attend a scheduled meeting.
[Amended 9-1-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-6]
(2) 
The Board shall hold meetings as necessary, and minutes shall be kept.
B. 
The Building Standards Board shall be responsible for exercising the powers prescribed by this chapter.
A. 
The Health Officer shall investigate the habitability of any building within the Township whenever a petition is filed by any member of the Building Standards Board or by at least five residents of the Township charging that the building is unfit for human habitation.
B. 
If the Health Officer's preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, a complaint shall be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in such building stating the charges and containing notice that a hearing will be held before the Building Standards Board.
C. 
The Building Standards Board shall hold a hearing on the complaint not more than 30 nor less than 10 days after service. The owner and party in interest shall have the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply.
D. 
Findings and orders. If, after notice and hearing, the majority of the Building Standards Board finds that the building under consideration is unfit for human habitation, the Board shall issue its findings of facts in support of such determination and shall cause to be served upon the owner thereof and parties in interest an order:
(1) 
Repairs, alterations or improvements of the said building to be made by the owner, within a reasonable time, which time shall be set forth in the order or at the option of the owner to vacate or have the said building vacated and closed within the times set forth in the orders; and
(2) 
If the building is in such a condition as to make it dangerous to the health and safety of persons on or near the premises, and the owner fails to repair, alter or improve the said building within the time specified in the order, then the owner shall be required for remove or demolish the said building within a reasonable time as specified in the said order of removal.
E. 
Failure to comply with orders of the Board.
(1) 
If the owner fails to comply with an order to repair, alter or improve or, at the option of the owner, to vacate and close the building, the public officer may cause such building to be repaired, altered or improved, or to be vacated and closed; the Board may cause to be posted on the main entrance of any building so closed a placard with the following words: "This building is unfit for human habitation or occupancy or use; the use or occupation of this building is prohibited and unlawful."
(2) 
If the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the building, the Board with the consent of the Township Council may cause such building to be removed or demolished, or may contract for the removal or demolition thereof after advertisement for, and receipt of, bids therefor.
F. 
Demolition or correction of defects by Township; recovery of costs. Where demolition, correction of a defect in the premises, or work necessary to place the premises in a proper condition so as to conform to ordinances of the Township or applicable laws of the State of New Jersey, requires expending Township monies, the enforcement official shall present a report of work proposed to be done to accomplish the foregoing to the Township Council with an estimate of the cost, along with a summary of the proceedings undertaken by the enforcement official to secure compliance, including notices served upon the occupants, owners, operators or other agents, as the case may be. The Township Council may thereupon, by resolution, authorize the demolition, correction of the defect or work necessary to place the premises in proper condition and in compliance with this code. The enforcement official or the Director of the Township Department of Public Works and Engineering, depending upon the volume of the work to be performed, may thereafter proceed to have the work performed in accordance with the resolution at Township expense, not to exceed the amount specified in the resolution, and shall, upon completion thereof, submit a report of the monies expended and costs to the Township Council. After review of the report, the Township Council may approve the expense and costs, whereupon the same shall become a lien against the premises, collectible as provided by law. A copy of the resolution approving the expenses and costs shall be certified by the Township Clerk, whereupon the same shall be filed with the Tax Collector of the Township, who shall be responsible for the collection, and a copy of the report and resolution shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner.
[Amended 9-1-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-6]
Any person affected by any order issued by the Board shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the Township Administrator, provided written request for a hearing is made to the Administrator within 10 days after service of the order. The written request for the hearing shall be filed with the Township Clerk and shall specify in detail the reasons why the person affected believes the order of the Board was not justified. The Township Administrator may affirm, modify or revoke the order.
[Amended 9-1-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-6]
Whenever the enforcement official finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health or safety, he may, without notice of hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately, but upon petition to the Township Administrator the owner shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon his findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, the Township Administrator shall continue such order in effect, or modify it.
A. 
The Health Officer may, upon receipt of a petition to determine fitness in accordance with § 94-4A, apply to the Municipal Judge of the Township of West Milford for a search warrant.
B. 
The Health Officer may apply to the Municipal Judge of the Township of West Milford for a search warrant to gain access to any structure where he has probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter is occurring or where such inspections are required as part of a routine inspection survey.
[Added 9-2-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-36]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, in addition to any other penalties or orders provided by ordinance or statute, and upon conviction, be subject to the general penalty as set forth in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty, of the Code of the Township of West Milford. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to fail to comply with an order duly issued by the Building Standards Board.